Shelby Bateman

Share your military spouse story:
I have been a cheerleader for the man I love since 2008, from Pop Warner football games and high school graduations to military promotions, deployments, and now the Drill Field. What began as a teenage love story became a life built across duty stations, seasons of separation, and constant unknown. Our “yes” to this journey has taken us from New York to California, Camp Lejeune, and now MCRD Parris Island, growing from two kids in love into parents of two along the way. Military life quickly taught me that comfort and familiarity are not guaranteed. Each move meant rebuilding from the ground up, new homes, new routines, and learning how to belong again. Field ops, long separations, deployments, and cross-country moves stripped away stability, but they also revealed the quiet strength it takes to keep showing up when everything feels temporary. Somewhere between packing boxes and starting over, my story shifted from simply supporting my husband to intentionally building community. Today, I cheer not only for him, but for the families beside us. My military spouse story is one of growth, resilience, and choosing community over isolation, every single time.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
Leadership has always been part of who I am, but I embraced military leadership after our second child. Postpartum in 2020 was hard, and for that season I was barely leading myself, let alone navigating motherhood, marriage, and military life. At Camp Lejeune, a seasoned spouse saw potential in me that I could not. In just a little over three years, I have grown from quietly observing, to hand raised and stepping forward to serve. I’ve volunteered Family Readiness roles from FRA to CTA, supporting communication and morale efforts between families and leadership, facilitated small groups with Camp Lejeune Leadership Seminars (CLLS), and now lead spouse gatherings and Bible studies on the Depot. I mentor spouses, support volunteer teams, and help build spaces where families feel connected and seen. I am rooted in servant leadership. I lead by showing up, listening, encouraging, and pouring into others. Someone once believed in me, and now I choose to believe in them, first.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
Genuine, heartfelt, leadership has been my mission this season. On PI I serve as FRA, supporting families who support the mission of making Marines, with communication, connection, and advocacy. I serve on the Community Advisory Board for Hunt Military Housing, voicing on base neighborhood concerns. Additionally, I participate in monthly Installation Family Readiness Group meetings advocating for families across the Depot. I now serve as the Beaufort Ambassador for Stronghold Food Pantry, helping fill the gap for Active Duty (AD) military families facing food insecurity and launched GivingTuesdayMilitary PI. I lead a women’s Bible study, creating consistent space for connection, encouragement, and faith-based support. I am also part of a team invested in building a homeschool co-op community for AD families on and around PI. Beyond the installation, I am a contributor with the Military Mom Collective, using storytelling and content creation to amplify military spouse voices nationwide.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
The moment that best reflects my impact began in October ‘22 at CLLS when I arrived with my 5-week-old, unsure if I belonged. A role model believed in me before I believed in myself and that experience changed who I am today. Two years later while sharing my “why” I volunteer, another volunteer shared that her “why” was because of me. She said I helped her see strength she had been overlooking. With that confidence she built her resume, applied for a position she never believed she deserved, and landed the job. That moment showed me how one person’s encouragement can change another’s path, a true ripple created by support and purpose. I believe everyone deserves a seat at the table regardless of background, season of life, or who their spouse is. The moments that matter most to me are hearing, “I’m glad I came,” or “Thank you for making me feel welcomed.” Inclusive community, to me, is creating spaces where walls come down, confidence grows, and every spouse leaves knowing they belong.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
I advocate for military spouses to step confidently into leadership opportunities. Military life often requires sacrifice and placing personal goals on hold. In that process, many spouses begin to lose sight of who they are and what they are capable of. This became personal after the birth of our first child, when imposter syndrome took hold and I struggled to recognize myself. Navigating motherhood, military life, and constant transition left me questioning my confidence and direction. Through mentorship and intentional growth, I learned how powerful it is when spouses are given the tools to rediscover themselves and purpose. I am passionate about ensuring spouses are defined not by gaps or relocations, but by their resilience and adaptability. I encourage pathways that help spouses build confidence, develop leadership skills, and translate their experiences into meaningful opportunities. When military spouses are empowered to lead, the impact reaches far beyond the individual.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
I take pride in clear, consistent, relational communication. I utilize in-person connection, group facilitation, and digital platforms to reach the intended audience. On PI, I have briefed at the Installation Family Readiness Council meetings speaking to leadership across the Depot, sharing past and upcoming quarter strategies on Spouses Club and Stronghold Food Pantry. I manage social media communication for company-wide family groups during recruit cycles and support the battalion group page. As a facilitator with CLLS, I supported full seminars for thirty spouses, leading small groups of ten creating space for questions, dialogue, and growth. I served on a panel during Fall ‘25 seminar, encouraging open conversation around volunteerism and community involvement. Whether public speaking, digital outreach, or one-on-one conversations, my goal is always the same, to inform, include, and empower military spouses through communication that is honest, accessible, and encouraging.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If blessed with AFI MSOY title, I hope to use this platform to represent and uplift military spouses whose voices are not always heard. I believe the strength of our military community is deeply connected to the strength of its families. Spouses are often navigating leadership, advocacy, and constant transition, yet their insight and experience are not always fully recognized. This title would allow me to help change that narrative by highlighting spouses and the potential we bring to every command and community, regardless of rank or season of life. I also hope to use this platform to encourage spouses who may not yet see their own value. If I can help even one spouse find confidence, discover their voice, and step into new opportunities, that impact extends far beyond me. More than anything, I want spouses to know they do not need to become someone else to lead. They simply need to show up as themselves, authentically and courageously, walking this journey side by side.